Cabinet

reshuffle in PNG

A reshuffle is almost certain among ministers of the Papua New Guinea Government following the June Session of the House of Assembly (Which will last for three weeks from llune 18.

The reshuffle will probably follow the establishment of a Ministry of Justice, a proposal which is expected to be brought before this session for approval. This will bring to 18 the number of ministers in the Papua New Guinea National Coalition Gov ernment, At present there are 17 ministers.

However, recent changes in the legis ation relating to ministerial appoint nents provided for a further three Vlinisterial portfolios. This will bring he total number of ministers to 20.

A meeting of the Administrator’s executive Council (the Cabinet) luring the last week of May accepted i submission by the Chief Minister, Hr Michael Somare, on the creation >f a Ministry of Justice. During the une meeting of the House of Assembly, Mr Somare will seek official approval for its creation.

The word floating around the orridors of Konedobu (the adminis rative centre of government) is that he likely candidate is Dr John Guise, he present Minister for the Interior nd Deputy Chief Minister. Dr Guise i his early years, was a policeman, magistrate and also a social worker nd on many occasions has been out poken on the maintenance of a trong police force and the preserva on of peace and civil order.

In fact, his present ministry in ludes some of the sections proposed ) come under the new Ministry of astice such as the corrective institu ons service, children’s court and

ivenile delinquents.

Other changes in Cabinet proposed y Mr Somare are: Mr Julius Chan, Minister of inance, to become Deputy Chief linister as well, a suggestion likely y be fought strenuously by Dr Guise. lr Chan would lose part of his alicy-making authority. Mr Donatus tola to be made Minister of State isisting Mr Chan and to lose his Jrtfolio of Minister for Business De flopment; Mr John Kaputin to be Jpointed Minister of Business and ommerce, a new portfolio and a irprise appointment; Mr John Poe • be transferred from Minister for

Foreign Affairs and Trade to Interior Minister; seemingly a demotion. Mr Gavera Rea to become Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is at present Minister for Labour; Mr Paulus Arek, Minister for Informa tion to be Minister for Labour; Mr Pita Lus to be appointed to a new portfolio, Minister for Culture; a new minister to be appointed Minister for Information.

It is likely that the setting up of the Ministry of Justice will not come into effect until after self-government which is scheduled for December 1, 1973, as the transfer of powers over the Supreme Court and law will not be effective until after the Constitu tional Planning Committee has made its recommendations.

Dr Guise . . . may not take kindly to the transfer.